PICTORIAL: Police Dismantle 3 Illegal Fertiliser Factories, Arrest 5 Suspects In Bauchi

The Bauchi State Police Command has dismantled a major illicit fertiliser production and distribution operation, arresting five suspects with recovery of a cache of adulterated products and production equipment in the state.

According to a statement issued on Wednesday by the Command’s spokesperson, CSP Ahmed Wakil, the operation followed a credible intelligence received on May 10, 2025.

As a result, operatives of the Command’s Monitoring Unit apprehended one Muhammad Abubakar at his Magaji Quarters residence in Bauchi with six bags of suspected adulterated fertiliser and 46 bottles of counterfeit herbicides in his possession.

A follow-up search at his residence further led to the discovery of 38 empty cartons of assorted herbicides, 14 NPK sacks, 9 Indorama sacks, a jerrycan, five spoons, charcoal stoves, nylon bundles, and sacks containing Ztars and lambda powder.

During interrogation, Abubakar confessed to the illicit production and mentioned his neighbour, one Abubakar Umar as an accomplice.

On May 14, following a separate tip-off, police raided a shop along Gombe Road owned by 32-year-old Anas Abubakar where 44.5 bags of adulterated fertiliser were uncovered.

Under questioning, Anas confessed to sourcing moulded kaolin, a material used in the adulteration process, from one Abdulrahaman Muhammad, a 24-year-old resident of Bakaro Quarters, who denied direct sales of the products but admitted to supplying raw materials.

Further police investigation led to the arrest of Ziya’u Bala, 27-year-old of Gudum Hausawa, who guided detectives to an illegal production site in Natsira Hamlet, Kangere Village.

The site housed about 100 bags and heaps of adulterated fertiliser.

Anas later confirmed that he blended the kaolin with urea fertiliser to manufacture fake products.

The police recovered 44 bags and heaps of adulterated fertiliser, 100 bags of moulded kaolin, 12 bags of fertiliser, and a bag of urea fertiliser from the scene

Further raids uncovered two additional production sites operated by Sama’ila Abdullahi, 34-year-old, and Mujahid Abdullahi, 32-year-old, in Natsira Hamlet and Kangere Village, respectively.

The PPRO added that both suspects admitted selling their products to Abdulrahaman, who supplied Anas.

All three illegal production sites were dismantled, and related equipment seized.

The Commissioner of Police in the state, CP Sani-Omolori Aliyu, reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to justice, assuring the public that all involved will be prosecuted upon the conclusion of the investigation.